2003 Tahoe coolant system leak or head gasket leak?

[tomloans]

I have a couple of alignment guides stuck in my old cylinder heads. Is there another option. Thinking of cutting the heads off of a couple of the old bolts.

 

[iamdub]

I have a couple of alignment guides stuck in my old cylinder heads. Is there another option. Thinking of cutting the heads off of a couple of the old bolts.

Just get new ones. Amazon and Summit show to have them in stock: https://www.amazon.com/Cylinder-Install-Alignment-Dowel-551275/dp/B014B0O2OE

Pardon Our Interruption

 

[iamdub]

LS engines rely on a low RA surface finish to seal with the MLS gaskets. I use a razor blade scraper and fine grit plastic brushes and chemicals to clean an iron block deck. I almost always have the heads professionally resurfaced/milled. Stuff like this:

 

[tomloans]

No Rtv on the head gaskets correct? It looks likethe bolts are 22 ft lbs, 90 second turn and then 70 final. Rocker arms are also 22 ft lbs as well? Seems a little much for those little bolts. Any wierd idiosyncrasies you all can think of before they go back on.

 

[tomloans]

No Rtv on the head gaskets correct? It looks likethe bolts are 22 ft lbs, 90 second turn and then 70 final. Rocker arms are also 22 ft lbs as well? Seems a little much for those little bolts. Any wierd idiosyncrasies you all can think of before they go back on.

It looks like i have the two shorter head bolts on the outer holes. Is it 22lbs, 90, 90 for all bolts but the shorter two last pass is 50degrees?

The top small 10 mm bolts are one pass 22lbs. Just want to be sure I am reading this correctly. Thank you.

 

[tomloans]

It looks like rocker arm bolts are 22ftlb and then a 360 degree crank turn and check again?

 

[tomloans]

OK so there is a lot of confusing info out there. It appears torque specs depends on what version of LS engine you have. Really just need rocker arm specs and procedure along with head bolts spec and procedure. There are also 5 smaller bolts above the head as well that I found needs on pass at 22lbs and is the last thing you do?

I have a 2003 tahoe with two short bolts in the head. Not sure what generation this motor is. Thank you.

 

[SnowDrifter]

 

[SnowDrifter]

 

[tomloans]

Thank you Snowdrifter. Curious would you reuse rocker arms and bolts if they have 210k miles on them?

 

[SnowDrifter]

Bolts yes. Static item, not TTY.

arms no. Moving, wear surfaces.

 

[iamdub]

No Rtv on the head gaskets correct?

Absolutely not. Just clean, flat metal-on-metal.

It looks likethe bolts are 22 ft lbs, 90 second turn and then 70 final. Rocker arms are also 22 ft lbs as well? Seems a little much for those little bolts. Any wierd idiosyncrasies you all can think of before they go back on.

SnowDrifter got you sorted out!

 

[tomloans]

So I have worked very hard at cleaning the mating surface. But the surface remains stained for lack of better words. Take a look at the picture please Chris. The surface feels smooth but the stains are still there. This is the hardest part I think.

 

[Fless]

So I have worked very hard at cleaning the mating surface. But the surface remains stained for lack of better words. Take a look at the picture please Chris. The surface feels smooth but the stains are still there. This is the hardest part it think.

@iamdub alert

 

[Tonyrodz]

@iamdub alert

 

[tomloans]

View attachment 364644

Lol

 

[iamdub]

So I have worked very hard at cleaning the mating surface. But the surface remains stained for lack of better words. Take a look at the picture please Chris. The surface feels smooth but the stains are still there. This is the hardest part I think.

That's beautiful!

Staining is perfectly fine. If you can't feel it with your fingernail, as if you were trying to scratch it off, then it's just a stain and is completely harmless.

 

[tomloans]

I don't know how to thank you Chris. This is a killer write up. I sprayed "deep creep" by seafoam on it and that seems to soften everything up and it all came off easier than brake cleaner. Anyways I just cleaned the intake thoroughly and replaced the two o-rings on each injector as well. Injectors were super clean. I spray the deep creep on the block again overnight and going to see if there is anything left on the block tomorrow. Then I will brake cleaner all again including bolt holes and use the compressor to blow everything clean then the heads will go on. Which me luck and concentration. Thank you Chris.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Before you put the heads on

Lets have a closer look at those cylinder walls

They look shiny in the pic. How are the cross hatches?

 

[tomloans]

I don't know what cross hatches means? I will take pictures and send but let me know what that means. The cylinder walls look perfect.